Chervil Plant Care

Chervil (Anthriscus cerefolium) belongs to the Apiaceae family within the Anthriscus genus. Chervil is also known as Salad Chervil, Garden Chervil, French Parsley.

Chervil displays an upright, bushy growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Chervil produces small white umbels.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Chervil every 5–7 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Chervil thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Anthriscus cerefolium tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F. Chervil prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining, fertile soil with organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Chervil to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Chervil every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining, fertile soil with organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Chervil is suited to USDA Zone 12a.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Chervil can spread to about 2 ft (0.5 m) and reach about 2 ft (1 m) tall. Space plants about 2 ft (0.5 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.

Prune Chervil while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.

Chervil is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 12). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Chervil can be propagated through seeds, division. Similar propagation techniques also apply to wild chervil plant care, which shares the same genus.

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Chervil is susceptible to aphids, caterpillars, leaf miners. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Chervil grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. In cooler regions, grow Chervil as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.